How to Tell If You Are in Real Labor or Not

Pregnancy can be scary, especially during your last few weeks. It is very important to know what the pre-labor, false labor, and real labor symptoms are so that you can determine when it is "really" time to go to the hospital. This article will discuss the three types of symptoms and how to know when you need to pack up and go or when you need to just sit back and relax.

Pre-Labor Symptoms

Pre-Labor symptoms can start surprisingly a full month or more before actual labor, or only an hour before real labor. Pre-labor is actually the beginning stages of cervical effacement and dilation. Usually when you start having weekly check ups with your doctor, they may check to see if you are dilated or not. Sometimes a woman may be dilated 2 or 3 centimeters for a few weeks, a few days, or a few hours. So when you start to become dilated that means you have reached your pre-labor stage. There are other signs of pre-labor that we will now discuss.

Lightening and Engagement

Around two to four weeks before actual labor, first-time mothers will experience the baby starting its' descention down into the pelvis. This does not usually occur in second or later births until the real labor has started.

Sensations of Increasing Pressure in the Pelvis and Rectum

A pain in the groin or a sharp pain in the back also lets you know that you are in the pre-labor stage. The baby is now pressing on sensitive nerves, and trust me you can feel them. You may get a shooting pain down your leg that can stop you dead in your tracks. Sometimes moving the baby around or trying to get pressure off of the nerves can help ease the pain.

Loss of Weight or Cessation of Weight Gain

Weight gain usually slows down in the ninth month so do not be alarmed. Some women can lose up to 3 pounds during the time right before labor. Just know that these are normal pre-labor symptoms.

A Change in Energy Levels